Sterling makes plea for 'forgiveness' in interview

May 11, 2014

Updated May 12, 2014 4:58 a.m.

1 of 1

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, center, and Magic Johnson, left, were among those in attendance at the Clippers' NBA Western Conference playoff game against Oklahoma City on Sunday at Staples Center. MICHAEL GOULDING,, MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, center, and Magic Johnson, left, were among those in attendance at the Clippers' NBA Western Conference playoff game against Oklahoma City on Sunday at Staples Center. MICHAEL GOULDING,, MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

LOS ANGELES – Normally, they would have spent Sunday afternoon at Staples Center, watching the team they own play basketball.

But then again, “normal” isn’t the right word to describe this situation.

Clippers owner Donald Sterling and Shelly Sterling both sat down for separate televised interviews Sunday, with Shelly Sterling digging in her heels for an eventual legal battle.

Donald Sterling, speaking for the first time since TMZ released audio of him saying racist things, insisted he was baited into making the remarks.

"I'm not a racist," Donald Sterling told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. "I made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I'm here with you today to apologize and to ask for forgiveness for all the people that I've hurt."

Donald Sterling said he waited to comment because he was “emotionally distraught.”

"The reason it's hard for me, very hard for me, is that I'm wrong. I caused the problem. I don't know how to correct it," he said.

Donald Sterling received a lifetime ban from NBA commissioner Adam Silver after the tape surfaced.

Silver also urged the other owners in the league to force a sale of the team, something that can be accomplished with a three-fourths majority.

Based on public statements, Silver’s urging will likely be rewarded with a unanimous vote.

On Sunday, Donald Sterling said he hopes his mistake can be forgiven by the league.

“I'm a good member who made a mistake and I'm apologizing and I'm asking for forgiveness," he said. “Am I entitled to one mistake, am I after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again.

"…If the owners feel I have another chance, then they'll give it to me.”

It appears he won’t be getting another chance from his wife, who told ABC News’ Barbara Walters that she has signed divorce papers that she intends to file.

Shelly Sterling also told Walters that she would “absolutely” fight to keep her share of the Clippers.

While sorting through Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban, the NBA has reportedly also tried to find ways to rid Shelly Sterling from future ownership of the franchise.

“I will fight that decision," she said “To be honest with you, I'm wondering if a wife of one of the owners, and there's 30 owners, did something like that, said those racial slurs, would they oust the husband? Or would they leave the husband in?"

The NBA issued a strong response.

“Under the NBA Constitution, if a controlling owner's interest is terminated by a 3/4 vote, all other team owners' interests are automatically terminated as well,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement. “It doesn't matter whether the owners are related as is the case here. These are the rules to which all NBA owners agreed to as a condition of owning their team.”

Shelly Sterling also said she thinks Donald Sterling is suffering from “the onset of dementia,” a speculation shared by multiple Clippers employees.

While neither owner attended Sunday’s game, Magic Johnson, who was at the center of the initial audio recording, was at Staples Center. Silver also attended the game, as did former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Floyd Mayweather, who also expressed interest in buying the Clippers, sat courtside.

Johnson and his financial backers from the Guggenheim Partners, the owners of the Dodgers, are also considered prospective owners once the Clippers go on sale.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.